Question

Beatrix Potter was a great English writer and artist, best known for her children's books featuring animal characters such as in the children's classic—The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Beatrix was born into a rich London­based family where she was tutored by very strict private teachers and so spent her youth isolated from other youngsters. During her youth she had a lot of pets and spent vacations in Scotland and also the Lake District. It was at the Lake District that she developed a love of wildlife. She studied the area's natural wonders carefully and painted them continuously.  But her old­fashioned, Manchester­born parents discouraged her intellectual improvement, thinking it inappropriate for a young lady. However, her study and watercolour paintings of wild mushrooms made her widely respected within the field of biology.

In her 30's, Beatrix Potter wrote the remarkably successful kid's book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Close to that time she became secretly engaged to her publisher Norman Warne. This caused a great disagreement with her parents, who did not approve of Beatrix getting married to somebody of lower social status. Sadly, Warne died before the marriage ceremony.

Ultimately Beatrix Potter began writing and also illustrating (绘图) kid's books full­time. Using profits from her books, Beatrix grew to become economically independent of her parents and was eventually in a position to buy Hill Top Farm in the Lake District.  She extended  the property with additional purchases of neighbouring land over time. In her 40's, Beatrix married William Heelis, a local lawyer. She ended up becoming a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to publish as well as illustrate books for children. In all she authored 23 publications.

Beatrix died on December 22, 1943, and left the majority of her property to the National Trust. Her books carry on selling well globally, in many different languages. Her stories have been retold in numerous formats including a ballet, movies, and cartoons.

Such is her reputation, and that of the characters from her publications, that many Beatrix Potter statues have been created.  These tiny Beatrix Potter statues which include pretty much all the actual characters in her publications have become highly valued by art collectors and fans of her literature throughout the world.

1.What can we learn about Beatrix Potter's early life?

A．She learned drawing skills from her tutors.

B．She was very sociable and outgoing.

C．She was greatly inspired by the beauty of nature.

D．She was encouraged to think creatively and independently.

2.Why did Beatrix Potter's parents oppose the idea of her marriage to Norman    Warne?

A．They did not believe she was mature enough to get married.

B．They thought Warne was only interested in Beatrix Potter's wealth.

C．They believed that the couple's characters were mismatched.

D．They considered Warne to be too common for their daughter.

3.According to the passage, which part of the UK did Beatrix Potter love most?

A．Manchester.　　　　　　B．Scotland.

C．The Lake District.          D．London.

4.In which of the following areas did Beatrix Potter show an interest during her life?

A．Writing, biology, farming.          

B．Drawing, nature, ballet.

C．Movies, farming, drawing.         

D．Writing, mushrooms, travel.

5.What is the function of the last two paragraphs of the passage?

A．To describe the consequences of Beatrix Potter's death.

B．To present the lasting cultural influence of Beatrix Potter and her works.

C．To show the changes in attitude towards Beatrix Potter's works over the past        years.

D．To criticise the commercialization of Beatrix Potter's characters since her        death.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.C

4.A

5.B

【解析】

文章大意：本文是一篇人物传记。文章主要讲述了英国著名作家和艺术家Beatrix Potter的生平经历、作品及其作品对社会文化的深远影响。

1.答案：C 细节理解题。根据文章第二段第二、三、四句话并结合全文可知，Beatrix Potter早年生活在苏格兰和英国湖区，湖区美丽的自然风光培养了她对野生动物的喜爱之情，并对她以后的写作内容和写作风格产生了重要影响。C项符合文意，故答案选C。

2.2】答案：D 细节理解题。根据文章第三段第三段话“This caused a great disagreement with her parents...to somebody of lower social status.”可知，Beatrix Potter的父母反对她与Warne结婚是因为Warne的社会地位比他们低，即Warne相对于他们的女儿来说太普通了。故答案选D。

3.3】答案：C 推理判断题。根据文章第二段第三句话并结合全文可知，英国湖区培养她对野生动物的喜爱之情并对她今后的写作产生了深远的影响；根据文章第四段第二句话可知，Beatrix Potter在她四十多岁时候终于在英国湖区买了一座农场，并在那度过了余生。由此可推出，Beatrix Potter最喜欢的地方就是英国的湖区，即The Lake Distrct。故答案选C。

4.4】答案：A 细节理解题。根据文章第二段中的“... made her widely respected within the field of biology.”以及文章第四段倒数第二句话 “She ended up becoming a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to publish as well as illustrate books for children.”并结合全文可知，Beatrix Potter一生对writing，biology，farming都感兴趣。故答案选A。

5.5】答案：B 段落大意题。通读文章最后两段可知，这两段主要讲了Beatrix Potter的作品被翻译成多种语言畅销全世界，且其作品通过芭蕾舞、电影、卡通等多种形式被重新演绎。同时，她的作品受到世人的高度赞扬，并对全世界的文化都产生了持久而深远的影响。B项最符合这两段的段落大意，故答案选B。